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Exodus 13:17

PharaohEgypt
Guidance and decisionsProtection and safety

15 And when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both of man and beast. This is why I sacrifice to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb, but I redeem all the firstborn of my sons.’

16 So it shall serve as a sign on your hand and a symbol on your forehead, for with a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt.”

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them along the road through the land of the Philistines, though it was shorter. For God said, “If the people face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.”

18 So God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the Israelites left the land of Egypt arrayed for battle.

19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear a solemn oath when he said, “God will surely attend to you, and then you must carry my bones with you from this place.”

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Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them along the road through the land of the Philistines, though it was shorter. For God said, “If the people face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.”
KJV
And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:
WEB
When Pharaoh had let the people go, God didn’t lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, “Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and they return to Egypt”;
ASV
And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:
DARBY
And it came to pass, when Pharaoh let the people go, that God did not lead them the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, That the people may not repent when they see conflict, and return to Egypt.
BLB
And it came to pass, when Pharaoh sent out the people, that God did not lead them [by] way of the land of the Philistines, although it [was] near. For God said, “Lest the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt.”
ÅB
Da nå Farao lot folket fare, da førte Gud dem ikke på veien til filistrenes land, skjønt den var den nærmeste; for Gud sa: Folket kunne angre det når de ser krig for seg, og så vende tilbake til Egypt.
OTB
Da Farao lot folket gå, ledet Gud dem ikke gjennom filisternes land, selv om det var nærmere, for Gud sa: “Hvis de møter krig, kan de ombestemme seg og vende tilbake til Egypt.”
B1930
Da nu Farao lot folket fare, da førte Gud dem ikke på veien til filistrenes land, skjønt den var den nærmeste; for Gud sa: Folket kunde angre det når de ser krig for sig, og så vende tilbake til Egypten.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Exodus 14:11–12

    They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us into the wilderness to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?

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  • Nehemiah 9:17

    They refused to listen and failed to remember the wonders You performed among them. They stiffened their necks and appointed a leader to return them to their bondage in Egypt. But You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in loving devotion, and You did not forsake them.

    Read in context

  • Numbers 14:1–4

    Then the whole congregation lifted up their voices and cried out, and that night the people wept.

    Read in context

  • Luke 14:27–32

    And whoever does not carry his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple.

    Read in context

  • Acts 7:39

    But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.

    Read in context

  • Deuteronomy 20:8

    Then the officers shall speak further to the army, saying, “Is any man afraid or fainthearted? Let him return home, so that the hearts of his brothers will not melt like his own.”

    Read in context

  • 1 Kings 8:47

    and when they come to their senses in the land to which they were taken, and they repent and plead with You in the land of their captors, saying, ‘We have sinned and done wrong; we have acted wickedly,’

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  • Exodus 16:2–3

    And there in the desert they all grumbled against Moses and Aaron.

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